Pressure responsive signal initiating device



y 1955 H. B. WEINGARDEN 3,193,631

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE SIGNAL INITIATING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 J/GZ 52 54 5O 4 42 45 42a w 34 2O A x\ \m 2| INVENTOR. I HERBERT B. WEINGARDEN AT TORN EY y 9 v H. B. WEINGARDEN 3,193,631

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE SIGNAL INITIATING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR HERBERT B. WE! NGARDEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,193,631 PRESSURE RESPONSIVE- SIGNAL INITIATING DEVICE Herbert B. Weingarden, 3546 Devon Hill Road, Toledo 16, Ohio Filed May 9, 1963, Ser. No. 279,248 8 Claims. (Cl. 20046) This invention relates to means for initiating a signal to any one or more of a plurality of signal responsive means of a sign or the like whereby the responsive means may be selectively energized.

In the type of electric sign wherein moving letters, colors, or other indi-c-ia are formed by lighting certain lamps while others remain dark in the background, moving a system of filters or other systems of a like nature, there are many devices known in the prior art to actuate the same. Such devices include a mercury tank with contacts below the mercury having a suitably perforated tape moved along the bottom of the tank so that the mercury may move through the perforations and engage the switches thereby energizing the same. This system presents deficiencies in that it is expensive, the mercury becomes contaminated and thereby hampers operation, and it is diflicult to maintain in operating condition.

Other prior art devices, such as those shown in Patents 1,231,762 and 1,322,506 are deficient in that they will only operate under vacuum energization, and will not operate as either a pressure or vacuum system, are not quickly responsive to energization, do not isolate the energized switches from each other, and require that all the contacts be in the vacuum chamber thereby necessitating the use of very small switches or large vacuum chambers. Additionally, the perforated tape must move relative to the actuating chamber.

In other prior art devices such as shown in Patents 1,588,531 and 1,921,113, the perforated member must pass between and relative to the actuating or pressure chamber and the base having the various pressure receiving openings there-in. Since the perforated member must be pressed between the above to prevent air leakage therebetween, it is subject to severe wear and abuse. Further, these devices are of the movable tape type and the entire perforated portion of the tape is not constantly operatively engaging the actuating chamber requiring a lengthy and expensive perforated member.

It is, therefore, an object of this invent-ion to provide a signal actuating device wherein the actuating chamber may be maintained relatively small in relation to the number of switch means to be actuated thereby.

'It is another object of this invention to provide such a device wherein the switch means are not disposed in the actuating chamber and are easily accessible for repair or replacement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a device which operates on a differential in air pressure wherein the perforated member does not move relative to the actuating chamber of the device.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a device wherein the entire perforated portion of the perforated member is constantly operatively associated with the actuating chamber of the device.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a device wherein the actuating chamber and the perforated member move unitarily.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a device which is easily and inexpensively produced, yet which is strong and durable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the specification in view of the following drawings wherein:

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PEG. 1 is an elevational view, taken in section, of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of an alternate pressure differential switch for use with the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a sign having a plurality of signal responsive means thereon adapted to be energized by a device according to this invention.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a stationary base plate is provided having a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced openings therein with each opening being confluent with a pressure differential switch normally spring biased to an open position. Mounted for co-axial rotation relative to the base and pressed against the same is a disk-shaped perforated member having a plurality of selectively positioned circumferentially and radially spaced openings therein adapted to become superimposed with at least some of the openings in the base plate having the same radial displacement. An actuating member rotatable relative to the base plate engages the disk for unitary rotation and is pressed against the same and presses the disk into engagement with the base plate. Suitable sealing means are inserted between the disk and the actuating member and positioned radially inwardly and outwardly of the perforations to define an actuating chamber radially between the sealing means and between the disk and the actuating member. Air pressure supply means is confluent with the chamber. Suitable drive means are adapted to rotate the actuating member and disk relative to the base plate so that the perforations in the disk progress circumferentially relative to the base plate and progressively bring the openings in the base plate into a confluent relationship with the chamber. Alternatively, a vacuum supply may be connected to the chamber and suitable pressure diiferential switches used in conjunction with the device. The openings in the disk are posi- .tioned so that upon rotation the desired effect is energized to the signal responsive means of the sign; such as a word constantly moving on the sign.

Referring to the drawings, a sign shown at 10 is of any convenient shape, and, as shown, is circular having seven concentric rings of electric light bulbs 12, with each ring having bulbs angularly spaced at three degree intervals. Each bulb 12, is remova'bly mounted in a socket '14 secured to the sign 10.

Means are provided to energize the flow of current to the bulbs 12 from the source of power 16. This means takes the form of a turntable shown generally at 18 comprising a fixed base 20 carried by a suitable stationary support 21 and having a central aperture 22, which rotatably receives a vertically extending spindle 24 driven by a suitable motor 26. The base 20 is provided with an opening 28 which is confluent with a constant fluid pressure supply line 30 from a suitable pressure accumulator 31 supplied by a pump 31a. The upper face of the base- 20 has an annular groove 32 therein, which groove is confluent with the opening 28 and, accordingly, is adapted to receive fluid pressure from the line 30. Intermediate the opening 28 and the periphery of the base 20 are a plurality of concentric rows of circumferentially spaced openings 33. As shown, there are seven concentric rows with each row containing openings angularly spaced every three degrees. However, the number of rows and the angular spacing therebetween may be selected to obtain the desired results.

An annular controlling disk 34 is movably received on the base 26 and has a centrally located aperture 36 which rotatably receives the spindle 24. The disk is in the form of a flat circular plate which may be formed from plastic, paper, and the like, and is provided with a plurality of a .circumferentially elongated openings 38 disposed in registration with the annular groove 32 in the base 24. The openings 38 are radially wider than the groove 32 so that pressure coming from the groove 32 through the openings 38 does not tend to leak under the disk 34 and lift the same. The disk 34 is also provided with a plurality of openings 40 formed intermediate the circle of the openings 38 and the periphery of the disk 34. The position of the openings 40 will be more fully explained below.

An annular cover plate or actuating member 42 is disposed over the disk 34 and has a central opening 44 which receives the spindle 24. A pair of radially spaced annular grooves are provided in the lower face of the plate 42; one groove 46 being positioned radially inwardly of the openings 38 and the second groove 48 being positioned radially outward of the openings 33 and 40. Disposed within the grooves 46 and 48 are annular seals 50 and 52, which seals are in abutting engagement with the top of the disk 34 thereby forming a chamber 54 which is bounded radially by the seals 50 and '2, on the top by the plate 42, and on the bottom by the disk 34.

The upper end of the spindle 24 is threaded, and a nut 53 is threadedly received thereon so as to compressively engage a spring 55, surrounding the spindle 24, which in turn biasingly engages the plate 42 and presses the seals 50 and 52 carried thereby into a frictional and sealing engagement with the disk 34, thereby adapting the plate and the disk for unitary rotation with the spindle 24 and securedly sealing the chamber 54. A suitable mechanical connection be provided between the plate 42 and the disk 34 such as projections 42a formed on the plate 42 and depending therefrom through registering openings 34a in the disk 34. An annular groove a is provided in plate 20 to accommodate the end of the projections 42a. It is foreseen that many other methods may be utilized to connect the plate 42 and disk 34 for unitary rotation.

The chamber 54 is confluent with the inlet line 34) and adapted to be brought into a confluent relationship with the openings 33 in the base 2i). More particularly, the openings in the disk 34 are positioned in the selected one of the concentric rows in which the openings 33 are spaced. As the disk 34 rotates relative to the base 2% the various openings 40 become aligned with various openings 33 lying in the same concentric row with the openings 40 and thereby admit fluid pressure from the chamber 54 into the aligned opening 33. If desired, the plate 42 may be produced concavely between the grooves 46 and 48, or in other suitable manners, to increase the size of the chamber 54 and thereby eliminate or reduce the size of the accumulator 31.

Each opening 33 is provided with a conducting means in the form of a tube, some of which are indicated at 56, which tubes each lead to a separate pressure differential switch, one of which is shown at 58; there being a separate pressure switch for each socket 14. The switch 58 includes a fixed insulating base 60 through which the inner end of the tube 56 opens. Secured to the base and enclosing the opening of the tube 56 is a hemispherical elastometric diaphragm 62 which is adapted to be extended by the air pressure entering the same from the tube 56 to press a contact member 64 against a contact member 66. The member 64 being pivotally secured intermediate its ends to a conducting post 68 while the member 66 is fixedly secured to a conducting post 70. The contact member 64 is biased by a spring '71, compressed between the outer end of the same and the base 60, to a position removed from the member 66 with the inner end thereof pressing against the diaphragm 62. The post 68 is suitably connected by conducting means 72 to the source of electrical power 16 while the post is connected by conducting means 74 to the socket 14. Another conducting means 76 connects the socket 14 to the source of power 16.

When an opening 40 becomes aligned with an opening 33, air pressure flows into the same and through the line 56 to the diaphragm 62 of a switch 58. When pressure enters the diaphragm 62, the same extends and presses the contact 64 against the contact 66 which closes the circuit between the socket 14 and the source 16 in a well known manner. When the opening 40 moves away from registration with the opening 33, pressure ceases to flow through the line 56 and the pressure in the line and in the diaphragm 62 is allowed to exhaust through a small vent opening '78 in the tube 56 so that the spring 71 biases the contact 64 away from the contact 66 and depresses the diaphragm 62. The size of the opening 755 and the pressure used in the chamber 54 are selected so that even when the line 56 is filled with air pressure and expands the diaphragm 62, the leakage through the opening "753 will not interfere with the switch operation. However, the opening 78 should be large enough to exhaust the line 56 with sumcient rapidity so that the depression of the diaphragm 62 is not delayed to the extent that signal overlap occurs from two adjacent holes 40 in the disk 34 sequentially energizing an opening 33. It is apparent that the switches 58 may be disposed at any desired distance from the turntable 18 by using the required length of tube 56. However, too great a length will be detrimental to the energizing rate of the pressure differential conducted by the tubes.

Each switch 58 is operatively associated with one of the sockets 14 containing a bulb 12. Preferably the switches 58 and tubes 56 are arranged whereby the openings 33 correspond in position to one of the sockets 14 of the sign 16!. Accordingly, when a hole 4t] in the disk 34 is aligned with a hole 33 in the base 20, a bulb 12 in the sign 10 in the position corresponding to the hole 33 will become energized. As the disk 34 rotates relative to the base 2t), the successive holes 33 will become aligned thereby energizing successive bulbs 12 in the sign 14 Holes 40 may be prepared in the disk 34 to form letters, as indicated by the HW. shown in FIG. 2. When these holes 49 are aligned with the cooperating opening 33 in the plate 20, the H.W. will appear on the sign. As the disk 34 moves to a position wherein the openings 49 are circumferentially disposed between adjacent openings 33, the switches connected to the previously aligned openings 33 will vent through the openings '78 and assume an open position so that the bulbs 12 previously energized thereby will now be de-energized. Upon further movement of the disk 34, the openings 40 will become aligned with the next cooperatingly positioned opening 33 thereby energizing the corresponding switches 58 and bulbs 12. In this manner the HW. will move along the sign It) in a continuous path. Shapes may be chosen for the sign 1% other than the annular one shown, with the sockets 14 operatively connected to the selected opening 33 to give the effect desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate pressure differential responsive switch is shown at 7'7 which operates to close the switch and energize the circuit when a vacuum pump is used to obtain a pressure diiferential and the chamber 54 is substantially evacuated of air pressure. An insulating base 79 carries a pair of spaced conducting posts as and 82 having the conducting means 72 and 74 respectively secured thereto. A contact member 34 is fixedly secured to the post 82 while a second contact member 86 is pivotally secured intermediate its end to the post 86. A stop means in the form of a post 88 is carried by the base 7? and adapted to limit counterclockwise rotation of the member 86 while a tension spring 90 is interposed between the member and the base 79 to bias the member 86 counterclockwise. An elastomeric diaphragm 92 is secured to the base 79 around the tube 56 with the upper portion thereof suitably secured to the contact member 86 as by gluing. Upon the evacuation of the line 56, when the chamber 54 becomes confluent with line 56, the diaphragm 92 is evacuated and collapses due to the differential in air pressure thereby pulling the contact 86 against the contact 84 against the bias of spring fit) to close the switch 77 thereby completing the circuit to the socket 14 from the source 16 in a well known manner. A small vent opening 94 is provided in the tube 56 whereby when the line 56 is no longer confluent with the chamber 54, air from the atmosphere may vent the line 56 and diaphragm 92 so that the spring 99 is operative to bias the member 86 counterclockwise against the post 88 thereby opening the switch 77.

It is understood that the above showings and description of this invention are illustrative only and it is readily acknowledged that many variations can be made therein which are encompassed by the underlying concept of this invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A controlling and operating mechanism compris ing in combination,

(a) a base member having a plurality of operating openings therein, 7

(b) a perforated member movably engaging said base member and having at least a single second operating opening therein adapted to cooperate with at least some of the openings of said plurality of first openings,

(c) chamber forming means spaced from said base member and rotatable relative thereto,

((1) said chamber forming means engaging said perforated member and forming a chamber therewith with said chamber overlying said second operating opening,

(e) said chamber forming means moving unitarily with said perforated member,

(f) and means for causing relative movement between said unitarily movable members and said base member (g) whereby said second operating opening becomes successively aligned with at least some of said plurality of first openings (h) and said aligned openings of said plurality of first openings become confluent with said chamber.

2. The controlling and operating mechanism of claim 1 wherein (a) said first plurality of operating openings are positioned in concentric rings and are radially and angularly spaced relative to each other,

(b) said second operating opening is disposed at a radial distance equal to one of said concentric rings, and

(c) said unitarily movable members and said movable member are rotatable relative to each other about the axis defined by said concentric rings.

3. A controlling and operating mechanism comprising in combination,

(a) a base member having a plurality of radially and angularly spaced first openings therein positioned in concentric rings,

(b) a perforated member rotatable relative to said base member and pressed against the same,

(c) said perforated member having a plurality of radially and angularly spaced second openings therein adapted to cooperate with at least some of the openings of said plurality of first openings,

(d) chamber forming means including spaced first (1) an actuating member rotatable unitarily with said perforated member and spaced therefrom and (2) sealing means carried by said actuating member and engaging said perforated member radially outwardly of said second openings thereby forming a chamber therebetween,

(e) pressure differential generating means confluent with said chamber,

(f) and means for causing relative rotary movement between said unitarily movable members and said base member,

(g) whereby said second plurality of openings become successively aligned with at least some of said plurality of first openings and said aligned openings of said plurality of first openings become confluent with said chamber and charged with a pressure differential thereby.

4. The controlling and operating mechanism of claim 3 wherein a second sealing means is carried by said actuating member and engages said perforated member radially inwardly of said second openings.

5. The controlling and operating mechanism of claim 3 wherein positive driving means interconnect said actuating member and said perforated member.

6. The controlling and operating mechanism of claim 3 including means for venting said first openings, said vent means operatively venting said openings at a rate less than said chamber charges said openings with a pressure differential.

7. The controlling and operating mechanism of claim 3 wherein said base member is stationary, said means for causing relative movement is a source of rotative force drivingly connected to said actuating member whereby said actuating member and perforated member are driven unitarily relative to said base.

8. A controlling and operating mechanism for a sign having a plurality of signal responsive means thereon comprising in combination (a) a plurality of pressure differential switch means with at least one being operatively connected to each of said signal responsive means for operating the same,

(b) a plurality of pressure conducting means with at least one being confluent with each of said switch means,

(0) a base member carrying said conducting means in a spaced apart relationship,

(d) said base member having an operative face with said conducting means opening to said face,

(e) pressure differential chamber means superimposed over the operative face of said base member and rotatable relative thereto,

(f) perforated means disposed between the operative face of said base member and said chamber means and having spaced perforations therein adapted to cooperate successively with said conducting means upon relative rotation between said perforated means and said base member, and

(g) means drivingly connected to said perforated means and said chamber means for rotating the same unitarily relative to said base member.

No references cited.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 

8. A CONTROLLING AND OPERATING MECHANISM FOR A SIJGGN HAVING A PLURALITY OF SIGNAL RESPONSIVE MEANS THEREON COMPRISING IN COMBINATION (A) A PLURALITY OF PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH MEANS WITH AT LEAST ONE BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID SIGNAL RESPONSIVE MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME, (B) A PLURALITY OF PRESSURE CONDUTING MEAND WITH AT LEAST ONE BEING CONFLUENT WITH EACH OF SAID SWITCH MEANS, (C) A BASE MEMBER CARRYING SAID CONDUCTING MEANS IN A SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP, (D) SAID BASE MEMBER HAVING AN OPERATIVE FACE WITH SAID CONDUCTING MEANS OPENING TO SAID FACE, (E) PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL CHAMBER MEANS SUPERIMPOSED 